El Salvador has recorded significant gains in international tourism up to May this year, reaffirming its status as a major destination for foreign visitors. According to recent statistics from the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur), the country welcomed 1.6 million international visitors in the first five months of the year, marking a 28% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
This influx of foreign visitors has provided a substantial economic boost across various tourism sectors. The Ministry reported that international tourism generated $1.529 billion in revenue, an 11% rise from 2023.
“We have experienced growth in the arrival of international visitors in recent months. Those who visit contribute economically to hotels, restaurants, and tourist transportation, among other sectors,” said Minister of Tourism Morena Valdez in an earlier statement.
Foreign visitors spent an average of $1,382 per person during their stay, a significant figure that supports both sectoral growth and the national economy.
Mitur also highlighted the primary countries of origin for these visitors: the United States accounted for 40%, Guatemala 23%, Honduras 15%, with the remaining 22% coming from other parts of the world.
“We are seeing more visitors, especially from the United States and Central America, but also from Canada, Europe, South America, and other continents,” Valdez noted during a televised interview.
Statistics show that over 50% of these tourists arrived via air travel, through El Salvador International Airport and Ilopango International Airport, while the remainder entered through the country’s six different land borders.
Alejandra Durán, Executive Director of the Salvadoran Tourism Corporation (Corsatur), stated that the country is on track to exceed projections for this year, anticipating the arrival of 3.8 million international visitors.
“We have already registered over a million international visitors, and we believe these projections will be surpassed. Our growth is evident and recognized by organizations such as UNWTO,” Durán told “Diario El Salvador.”
She added that this surge in foreign visitors is attributed to the current security in El Salvador, which also stimulates job creation.